May 15, 2010 will always be remembered in Israel as the most dramatic league finale ever.
Hapoel Tel Aviv arrived to the fiery away game at Beitar Jerusalem on the last day of the season trailing Maccabi Haifa by two points. With Haifa unexpectedly drawing at Bnei Yehuda, Hapoel knew they needed a win to leapfrog them into the first place, but that proved to be extremely difficult.
Hapoel and Beitar are very bitter rivals. For the team from Jerusalem, the possibility of Hapoel winning the title on their ground was close to unacceptable. They fought their hearts out and deep in the injury time the score was still 1-1. Then, Eran Zahavi popped up and scored the precious winner. That was it -- Hapoel were champions for the first time in a decade.
Zahavi took his chance with remarkable coolness, especially for a 22-year-old who wasn't the biggest star of the team by any means. In fact, just two years previously he was loaned out to tiny Ramat Hasharon and had to sell pastries at a stand near the stadium to make ends meet. He was just a bit-part player for coach Eli Guttman in 2009-10, and yet managed to become the ultimate hero.
"When I saw that ball, I understood that my shot can make history," he said. That's when everyone first witnessed Zahavi's incredible ability to score crucial goals.
Fast-forward five years and Zahavi is regarded by some as the greatest Israeli player of all time after his phenomenal performances in the Champions League qualifiers that took Maccabi Tel-Aviv to the group stages. That might be an exaggeration but his winning mentality is second to none. Fans have become so accustomed to Zahavi's heroics they almost expect him to score when it matters most.
This term, he has not disappointed, especially in qualifying for Europe's most prestigious tournament. Maccabi's chances against Basel in the Champions League playoffs looked bleak. The Swiss champions totally outplayed them in the first leg, even though Zahavi scored a great goal in the first half. Two minutes from time, Breel Embolo made it 2-1 to Basel and even that flattered Maccabi. Then, six minutes into injury time, Zahavi stole into the area to score a free header and it was 2-2.
That was the most classic Zahavi moment of them all. His nickname in the Israel press is "Who Else?" and everyone knew that he had to step up in the return leg to complete the job. Basel knew that perfectly well themselves, especially after taking an early lead, but they couldn't stop him. Zahavi scored again to make it 1-1 and Maccabi were through on away goals. Their superstar scored five goals in their last three matches to take them to the Promised Land of the Champions League group stages.
He has been there before. After winning the title in 2010, Hapoel sensationally qualified for the group stages that year. Zahavi -- who else? -- netted the crucial goal in the playoffs against Red Bull Salzburg to make sure of that. Then, on the biggest stage of them all, he scored with a stunning overhead kick in a 2-2 draw at Lyon that was widely considered one of the best goals the tournament has ever seen.
Gradually, Zahavi became the brightest star of them all at Hapoel, and the fans adored him. They supported him wholeheartedly when he was sold to Palermo in the summer of 2011.
He scored in the very first minute on his home debut against Cagliari, but thereafter things became more difficult. Injuries didn't help and the midfielder also suffered from homesickness and had difficulties finding kosher food in Sicily.
When he decided to return in January 2013, Hapoel supporters were in for a deep shock -- their idol chose to join city rivals Maccabi.
The move made sense for the player, both professionally and financially. By that time, Hapoel were in total disarray, while Maccabi were the best-managed club by a distance, with Jordi Cruyff doing a remarkable job as sports director.
It was Cruyff who persuaded Zahavi to sign a lucrative contract and it paid off handsomely, as the midfielder was instrumental when the club won its first championship title since 2003.
It was a bitter pill to swallow anyway for Hapoel fans but the situation was made worse as Zahavi did his utmost to show off. Claiming his former club never really showed him respect, the midfielder showed off every time he scored in the derby against them.
His trademark "bang-bang" celebration, imitating shooting in all directions, was used especially wildly when netting against Hapoel.
It all ended up in a huge scandal. In November 2014, Zahavi scored once again in a derby, proceeded to taunt his former fans and was attacked on the pitch by a Hapoel supporter. Zahavi retaliated and to his utter amazement, he was sent off.
Claiming that he was defending himself, the star refused to accept the decision and tried to persuade Maccabi to stop the game unless the card was revoked.
Eventually, with both sets of fans getting out of control, the match was indeed abandoned, and it was ruled as a goalless draw with no points awarded.
For Zahavi, the cancellation of his goal and the subsequent suspension were especially unfortunate. He arrived at that game with an incredible record of scoring in 11 league games in succession, dating to April 2014.
His prowess in front of goal became truly sensational, unheard of in Israel, especially for a midfielder. He netted 34 times in all competitions in the 2013-14 season and went one better the next season, scoring 35 goals. Needless to say, Maccabi easily won the title both times.
This term, he might surpass his record again. With no fewer than seven goals in Europe already, Zahavi has netted three times in the first three league fixtures, including the winner at rivals Hapoel Beer Sheva.
Add the cup competitions and a bicycle kick in the Super Cup, and he is standing at 13 goals in 11 games ahead of the visit to Stamford Bridge for what could be the biggest occasion of his life.
Zahavi could have arrived to London earlier. Tottenham were reportedly keen on signing the Israeli last January, while Borussia Dortmund also were interested. Nothing materialised, however, and Zahavi agreed to sign a new five-year contract, for an annual salary of €1 million, while giving up on a release clause. He was made captain this summer following Sheran Yeini's move to Vitesse and 28, his chances of playing in a top league have diminished significantly.
Nevertheless, such a dream might still be alive. As Cruyff mentioned in a recent Marca interview: "Zahavi could well compete in Spain."
The dilemma is clear -- he can remain the greatest player in a weak Israeli league, or try his luck again at a higher level. The move will be complicated and the transfer fee will make potential suitors cautious. Only a great performance in the Champions League could probably result in a huge offer both the player and the club will be unable to resist.
In short, Zahavi must prove himself when it matters most, but that is exactly what he has been doing for the most of his career. Chelsea, Porto and Dynamo Kiev know that he is the main source of danger when they face Maccabi, and yet even they might not be able to stop him on current form.
Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic already has conceded from Zahavi when Israel thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 in Euro 2016 qualifiers back in November. Will he be able to stop him this time?
